Winter Sowing

Winter sowing is something I learned about almost 6 years ago. Totally changed the way I gardened and enabled me to get my hands dirty in the winter. It also produced a large volume of plants earlier, that were hardier, in a very small amount of space.

Save as many of your plastic containers as you can. Or ask your neighbors for theirs.

Smaller containers are best. Maybe 250-500mLs.

Poke holes in the bottom for drainage. Place a tiny bit of newspaper crumpled up into the bottom. Water slightly till it can easily be pushed down. Fill with dirt up to the top leaving a finger joint width of space. Water the dirt well till it drains out of the bottom. Sink your seeds to three times its depth when it’s lying on its side. If it’s tiny like a poppy seed, then sprinkle on the surface and leave uncovered. Cover it over if it’s a bigger seed and sink the whole container in the dirt somewhere where it will get a bit of protection. Water regularly if you don’t have snow on the ground.

If you DO have snow on the ground then you can put plastic wrap over top with an elastic or tape. Poke holes in the top for aeration. (That is where containers from buying salad mix or bakery items at the store come in handy) Stick THAT whole thing in the snow.

Keep an eye on it.

This is called winter sowing.

It works. I’ve had major success with it. One year I planted 184 varieties of seed (edible, medicinal, landscaping, and est ethic plants) over the duration of our Canadian winter.

181 germinated. I remember because I kept records.

Awesome way to grow a huge amount of plants for pennies, earlier than others, hardier than others in a very small amount of space.